The University of Iowa Press will give voice to the poetic ramblings of 17 terrorist detainees in Guantanamo, entitled "Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak." The Wall Street Journal reports:
The collection, translated from Arabic, was compiled by Marc Falkoff, a defense lawyer with a literary bent. Mr. Falkoff, who got a Ph.D. in English before he went to law school, represents 17 Yemeni prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and he dedicated the book to his clients, describing them in the inscription as "my friends inside the wire."
In addition to religious and sentimental themes most of the poetry is, not surprisingly, riddled with anti-Americanism:
Most of the poems carry political messages denouncing the Bush administration. "America, you ride on backs of orphans/and terrorize them daily," writes Mr. Haj, the al-Jazeera cameraman accused of supporting al Qaeda. "I am a captive, but the crimes are my captors'."
The publication of poetry by detainees has not been declassified before now because its format makes it suspect to coded messages to terrorists on the outside. All of it had to be cleared by the military, with some of those submitted being rejected.
Not available until August, the book is available for pre-sale at Amazon.com. Will it make the New York Times bestseller list?
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C-I-L-L My Landlord
June 20, 2007 - 13:22 ET by Hero SquadDon't criminals make for wonderful poets? Just make sure the Guantanamo literary society never gets out so that they don't lose that creative edge.
My personal favorite among the incarcerated poets is award winner Tyrone Green.
*****
"I'm sorry, you must have mistaken me for a clown that gives a damn!" - Sticky the Clown
more interesting are the titl
June 20, 2007 - 13:36 ET by mawendtmore interesting are the titles here that didn't make the cut:
Death to America, Part 1
Allah, Send the Heathen to a Bloody Justice
Ode to the ACLU
Death to America, Part 2
I can't wait for the 72
The Terrorist Road Less Taken
Death to America Parts 3 through 981
A Poem for The American Justice System
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Although I'm making it up, with a little research I probably didn't have to. maw
That is unbe-bloomin'-leivabl
June 20, 2007 - 13:45 ET by SnowWhiteThat is unbe-bloomin'-leivable! Who gets the $$$ from the sale of the book? I'll send them some of my poetry. They won't like it though. Too much stuff about Jesus in it. This really strikes me funny though. My best laugh of the day so far. Those poor terrorists..why do we treat them so? Boo-hoo. :o )
I too want to know who gets t
June 20, 2007 - 16:53 ET by QueenMumI too want to know who gets the $$$, SnowWhite. How 'bout that. Terrorists embracing capitalism.
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria
}}----> Ode to Ahmadinnerjacket
June 20, 2007 - 13:52 ET by Cool ArrowHere I sit all brokenhearted
Came the Shiite, so we parted.
I'm a little bomber short and
June 20, 2007 - 13:58 ET by SemperrightI'm a little bomber short and stout
Here is my C4, the MSM is my scout
When I kill the infidels Pelosi will shout
"We can't win let's get the hell out"
Excellent. Put it on a t-shir
June 20, 2007 - 21:07 ET by CrimsonfistedExcellent. Put it on a t-shirt.
WhatAMaroon
This is despicable as far as
June 20, 2007 - 14:34 ET by bigtimerThis is despicable as far as I am concerned...this during a time of war.
These people are prisoners.
Our enemies...
...and he gets a book published...okay'd by the military.
Pathetic.
Throw Mr. F**koff in prison w
June 20, 2007 - 15:10 ET by mattmThrow Mr. F**koff in prison with his precious little terrorists...the falking traitor!
Hey, I have a collection of N
June 20, 2007 - 15:39 ET by Mr. KafirHey, I have a collection of Nazi poetry I'd like to publish. I'll dedicate it to the friends of the Aryan Brotherhood in San Quentin. Do you think that bastion of higher education at the university of Iowa will publish it? Just wondering....
Poetry: Ballad of Gitmo Bay
June 20, 2007 - 17:10 ET by Lame CherryHere I sit in Gitmo Bay
With more freedom of speech than the Cuban's around me say
If I said at home in Muslimstan what I say here, my head would be off in the plan
So here I sit in Gitmo Bay
With more freedom and liberty.....thanks to America.....more than I can say.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
There was a jihadi from Homs,
June 21, 2007 - 12:28 ET by GalvanicThere was a jihadi from Homs,
Who was caught wearing belts full of bombs.
His zeal, it was great,
But his fuzes were late,
And now he lists Gitmo as home.